Select your Seeds to Avoid your Sneeze Select your Seeds to Avoid your Sneeze
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

This Topic of the Month article should answer questions about:

Which plant species are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction
Which plants are considered safer for allergy sufferers
Other steps to take to minimize risk of allergic reactions
When to see an allergist/immunologist

For many seasonal allergy suffers, getting their hands dirty in the garden has consequences. Sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and other reactions turn gardening fun into misery.

But with a few simple precautions, allergies don’t have to stand between a person and their horticultural hobbies.

An allergist/immunologist can advise on the best times of day or season to do planting and maintenance work in the garden. Pollen levels are typically lower on rainy, cloudy and windless days. Pay attention to pollen counts on the local evening news or daily newspaper weather report. Measurements are also available for many major cities through the National Allergy Bureau at http://www.aaaai.org/nab.

By making careful decisions about what plants to include in landscaping or a garden, and what plants to avoid, allergy sufferers can reduce the symptoms that frequently accompany gardening.

Certain flowers, trees and grasses are naturally better suited for the gardens of people with outdoor allergies. They are less likely to produce irritating pollen but will still add color and variety to the garden.

You may be better off choosing plants that are less likely to cause a reaction.

By making careful decisions about what plants to include in landscaping or a garden, and what plants to avoid, allergy sufferers can reduce the symptoms that frequently accompany gardening.

Certain flowers, trees and grasses are naturally better suited for the gardens of people with outdoor allergies. They are less likely to produce irritating pollen but will still add color and variety to the garden.

You may be better off choosing plants that are less likely to cause a reaction.

These include:

Cacti
Cherry
Dahlia
Daisy
Geranium
Hibiscus and Iris
Magnolia
Roses
Snapdragon
Tulip

In general, highly-allergenic plants to avoid include:

Ash
Cedar
Cottonwood
Maple
Oak
Pine
Saltgrass
Timothy
Willow

The best way to determine which plants will trigger reactions is through skin testing at your allergist/immunologist’s office. An allergist/immunologist can help you develop strategies to avoid troublesome plants and pollen and can prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms.

Whenever working around plants likely to cause an allergic reaction, avoid touching your eyes or face. You may also consider wearing a mask to reduce the amount of pollen spores that you breathe in. Leave gardening tools and clothing – such as gloves and shoes – outside to avoid bringing allergens indoors. Showering immediately after gardening may also help reduce symptoms.

Taking these steps can help put the fun back into gardening.


Share: